The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-03-03
MILITARY BANDS IN NEW YORK.
dow They Originated Half IA Century
Ago-Some OF the Famous
Lenders.

The development of music in the
( ihape of military bands, NOW so wide
spread, is comparatively of modern
growth in this city, says The New YORK.
Mail and Express. An old and veteran
musician, in conversation with repor-
ter thus describes the organ of Military
bands in New York, also the advance
ment made with regard to theatrical
orchestras:
when was boy anything like an
organized body Of musicians was UNI
known. This city was then small
place and nearly all below Canal street.
Tbeaters we're of small Importance so
far as music was concerned. A few
fiddles large and small, and perhaps
here and there flute composed all the
orchestras then in eXistance. The lirst
step towards developing an orchestra
was made by Thomas Dilks, the father
of the present inspector of police, and
Thomas Jefferson Dodworth. They
began by organizing band to play at
parties, festivals, and such gatherings.
The city military was then content with
the fife and drum, and brass band
was unknown. Col. PEERS of the Gov
ernor's guards, n military organization
of this city. thought by the aid of Dilks
and Dodworth brass band might be
formed, and encouraged them to try it.
Dodworth had four sons. all musicians,
and with Dilks MS the manager, the
work was begun. Dilks played the
claronet and old Dodworth the bugle,
the sons played on other instruments.
| we'll recollect when they made their
,;r- parade in uniform of buff and blue,
as r,e Governors Guard band There
were a5cut eight musicians in all. The
father OF Harvey Moor was the bass
PLAYER, Freemauth had a bugle. and
Nathan Conklin managed the big drum.
At first it was known rs the National
Brass Band but soon became popular
under the name of Dodworth's band.
Soon after William Wallace with his
three sones came from Canada and or
ganized band which played ut Peale's
museum on Broadway, between War
rem and Murray streets. The Wallaces
organized the New York Brass band,
which for time rivaled with bod
worth for the honors. But Dodworth
and Dilks managed to retain the pres
tge, and for twenty years or more vir-
tualy had the monopoly. Their band
was always popular with the sidewalk
committee BY playing familiar tunes,
and was always chosen for milItary
parsdes; those composing the militia,
as it was then called desiring the APP
plaus from the sidewalks whenever
they turned out.
Zone of the favoritc tunes played
was the Light Guard Quickstep, D"
which was always given in front OF the
Astor house, then the pr ncipal hotel in
the city, rs u compliment to Mr. Stet-
son, the proprietor. OF course, the
guests and all in the hotel would APP
plaud the piece and the military which
marched behind the band. Dodworth
also started Philharmonic society, and
by frequent rehearsals this body of iif-
teen musicians with Dodworth's COM
positions of operate quicksteps, made
complete success of street music.
Capt Vincent, of the Light guard, see
ing the advantage Of good music on
street parade. persuaded Dodworth to
organize band of thirty-fve musicians,
and thus was developed Dodworth's
band, which held sway in this city mp
to the time of the war. Among those
who PLAYED the fife in his band was
Grafula, afterward the leader of the
9TH regiment band, So well trained
was Dodworth's band that the great
composer and conductor. julien. when
he visited New York to give his con-
certs, engaged this band to play for him,
and on his return to England told the
English musicians that it would not pay
to come here, as there was father and
three sons who had band equal to any
they could organize. An Engishman
named Lothian tried TO get up band
for the 9TH regiment in opposition to
that of the Governors guard, or 9th
regiment; but in lS49 he started for
California and remained there, and the
band fell to pieces for want Of organi-
zation. Dodworth managed to keep
his musicians together by aid of the
Philharmonic society.
Later, however. as all his men were
good musicians and the bands became
more numerous, many gained the posi-
ton of leaders, among whom may be
mentioned Harvey Dodworth and Ora
fulla. When the Central park was
opened in 1860 Dodworth volunteered
TO give saturday afternoon concerts
therein without charge to the city.
These concerts were gwen mainly for
rehearsal and practice, but they became
popular because of the music, which
was attractive. The number Of must
clans composing the Central park or